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Personal info

Full name
PEARCE, Harry William Jr "Billy"
Date of birth
24 March 1920
Age
24
Place of birth
Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan
Hometown
Highland Park, Wayne County, Michigan

Military service

Service number
O-759761
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
Co-Pilot
Unit
369th Bombardment Squadron,
306th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Died of Wounds
Date of death
14 January 1945
Place of death
France

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
Plot Row Grave
C 1 18

Immediate family

Members
Harry W. Pearce (father)
Margaret E. (Craine) Pearce (mother)
Ruth A. Pearce (sister)
Robert C. Pearce (brother)

More information

1st Lt Harry W. Pearce Jr. attended college and was a metalworker at the Chrysler Corp.

He enlisted at Fort Custer, Michigan on 3 February 1942.
On 10 January 1945, 1st Lt Harry W. Pearce (who seldom wore a flak helmet, considering it a detriment in handling the plane) was hit in the head by a large piece of flak over the target. The crippled plane landed successfully in friendly territory in France, saving the crew. He got immediate medical attention but died four days later.

His brother Robert also served in Europe.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, Peter Schouteten, Kathy McDermott, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1940 Census / Schneemann Craine Tree, www.8thafhs.com/db/index.php, http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/93511

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, The Detroit Evening Times - 23 March 1945